Gloves may be the next step after masks in the battle against coronavirus

Ministers are considering requiring the public to wear gloves to combat coronavirus, as well as face coverings.

During a debate in the House of Lords on coronavirus regulations health minister Lord Bethell said gloves are "an area we’re looking at" as the Government considers how best to protect the public.

The exchanges came on the day people in England were required to start wearing face coverings in shops, shopping centres, banks, takeaways, post offices, sandwich shops and supermarkets or risk a £100 fine.

Speaking in the Lords, Conservative Baroness McIntosh of Pickering asked: "Has the Government formed a view on the use of gloves?

"Obviously we're all following the guidance of washing our hands but surely the correct use of gloves outdoors and indoors could prevent the passing on of the virus?"

Lord Bethell, concluding a debate on coronavirus regulations, replied: "To date, gloves are not in the guidance but they remain an area that we're looking at."

However, Government sources said they did not expect the policy to be introduced, saying there is currently no country in the world that recommends the use of gloves for the general public.

The World Health Organisation does not back their use, saying regularly washing bare hands offers more protection against catching coronavirus.

As rules meaning people must wear face coverings in shops came into effect on Friday a row emerged between police and retailers over who should enforce them.

Pret, Costa Coffee, Sainsbury’s and Asda are among stores that have said that while they will encourage customers to follow the rules, they will not be asking their staff to enforce the law.

Tom Ironside, director of business and regulation at the British Retail Consortium trade association, said the role of retailers is to "remind and encourage compliance".

"What's very clear is enforcement is not a matter for retailers, that has to be a matter for the police because otherwise you will be asking staff in stores to do things which can add to the potential for conflict."

But John Apter, the national chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said forces "do not have the resources" to widely enforce the law and called on retailers to deny people entry.

He said: "It is our members who are expected to police what is a new way of living and I would urge retail outlets to play their part in making the rules crystal clear – if you are not wearing a face covering then you are not coming in.

"Officers will be there to help stores if needed – but only as a last resort, as we simply do not have the resources."

His comments were echoed by Martin Hewitt, Chair of the National Police Chiefs Council, who said: "Police involvement should be a last resort for situations where all efforts from retail staff have been exhausted, customers refuse to leave or staff are facing aggression."

The Government has been criticised for the short notice it gave for premises to prepare after  only releasing guidance a day before coronavirus laws making face coverings mandatory in shops, shopping centres, banks, takeaways, post offices, sandwich shops and supermarkets came into force.

Shopping centres across the country said that compliance levels had generally been high, but there were numerous reports of people browsing the aisles without a mask.

Helen Whately, the Care Minister, said that the Government will be "encouraging" people to wear a mask but they were "not expecting the police to be called every time someone isn't wearing a face mask, that would be inappropriate".

Venues like restaurants, pubs, gyms, hairdressers, beauty salons, leisure centres, cinemas, concert halls and theatres are exempt from the new rules.